Suspicious persons have been knocking on doors in local neighborhoods stating they represent a utility or service company and wanting to enter the home or look at bills. There have been no reports of incidents or injuries as a result of these impostors’ activities, but the public should be aware that these situations are most likely a would-be thief or criminal casing the residence.

There have been several incidents of these situations as stated in the Ridgecrest Police Department daily logs. These logs are a transcription of calls to dispatchers:

The were two similar incidents, both of persons’s claiming to be Pacific Gas and Electric employees on Dec. 11. Entries in the Police Log state, “10:56 a.m. Suspicious Person – W. Mamie Ave.; suspicious person left on foot; adult male 35 years of age, average build, long blonde hair, orange florescent vest claimed to be from PG&E. Wanted to see caller’s bill; unable to locate.

There were similar reports of suspicious behavior on Dec. 13. According to the Police Log, a “suspicious person” call was made at 3:42 p.m. The reporting party was requesting an area check for a white mini-van with two males inside. The party said the men were trying passing out papers. A call of “suspicious circumstances” were called in at 4:52 p.m. A woman said that, “a man was trying to push his way into a residence to sell an alarm system.”

As shown, these incidents are happening in the middle of the day.

Ridgecrest Police Sgt. Justin Dampier said that it is not common for people to impersonate a company to try and gain access to a home, but it is not unusual. There are also reports of would-be thieves going door-to-door to determine if someone is home. If there is no one home, the suspects look for easy entry into the home.

“Its a tactic used in the past and in other areas, people knock on doors to see if anyone is home. They may use the house as a target later,” Dampier said.

He said it is hard to try and protect property when not at home. He suggested “target hardening.” People who are not going to be home may want to leave lights on, or a TV or radio to give the impression someone is actually home.

Page 2 of 2 - Katie Allen, spokesperson for PG&E said that company’s employees do not generally go door-to-door, if ever. An emergency situation or last-minute notification to customers that may be affected by a project would be the only circumstances in which PG&E employees would go door-to-door.

“We always do our best to alert customers or our projects in the area or that may affect their homes,” Allen said.

She said there are many different jobs and uniforms of PG&E employees, but they all have a company issued identification card. Allen recommends asking for an employees ID if they come to the door and there are any questions, or if the employee makes a person “uncomfortable.”

And checking bills is not something its employees would do at the door.

Dampier added that almost every company of the caliber and size of a major utility company or Dish Network would supply their employees with proper identification.

She added if anyone has any problems, or questions about employees to call the company’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-743-5000.

Dampier suggested people get involved and get to know their neighbors so people on a block have an idea if someone goes on vacation, for example and if there should people in the house or not. He also recommends people contact Police and Community Together or PACT at 760-499-5107 for more information about Neighborhood Watch.